Our industry

Storytelling doesn’t just advance our culture. It is our culture.

In 2017, Canada’s vibrant film and television production industry generated well over $8 billion in production volume, contributed over $12 billion to the GDP and provided approximately 171,700 full-time jobs.

What unites a population of 36 million citizens, spread across 10 million square kilometres?

In large part, it is the stories we tell to one another and the world. Storytelling doesn’t just advance our culture; it is our culture.

Canada’s independent producers help bring stories to life on screen through the production of compelling content. Working in film, television, and across a host of digital platforms, independent media producers—in companies of all shapes and sizes—tell stories that represent all Canadians and reflect the diverse and varied voices that make up this great land.

Total film and television production volume in 2017 = $8.38 billion

39.1%

Canadian film and television production

44.5%

Foreign location and service production

15.6%

Broadcaster in-house production

0.8%

Convergent digital media

In 2017, the industry generated 171,700 full-time equivalent jobs:

61,200

Canadian television production

6,600

Canadian theatrical feature film production

77,000

Foreign location and service production

27,000

Broadcaster in-house production

Number of full-time equivalent jobs generated by film and television production in Canada

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

CANADIAN TELEVISION PRODUCTION

Direct

Spin-off

19,900

30,700

20,300

31,400

21,100

32,600

21,000

32,400

24,100

37,100

Total

50,600

51,700

53,700

53,400

61,200

CANADIAN THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM PRODUCTION

Direct

Spin-off

3,300

5,000

3,000

4,600

3,200

4,900

2,300

3,500

2,600

4,000

Total

8,300

7,600

8,100

5,800

6,600

FLS PRODUCTION

Direct

Spin-off

15,000

23,200

15,400

23,700

21,500

33,100

21,600

33,300

30,300

46,700

Total

38,200

39,100

54,600

54,900

77,000

BROADCASTER IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION

Direct

Spin-off

12,100

18,700

11,500

17,700

12,500

19,300

10,200

15,800

10,600

16,400

Total

30,800

29,200

31,800

26,000

27,000

GRAND TOTAL

Direct

Spin-off

50,300

77,700

50,200

77,400

58,300

90,000

55,100

85,000

67,500

104,200

TOTAL

128,000

127,600

148,300

140,100

171,700

What does an independent producer do?

Independent producers do much more than just invest in development. They pitch shows and line up necessary financing from multiple broadcasters, distributors and other financiers. They hire writers, directors, cast and crew. They navigate and apply complex labour agreements, search Canada and the world for the best locations, strategize about how to market our content to audiences both at home and abroad, and bring the finished product to those international markets.

The work of Canada’s independent producers not only celebrates our diverse culture and promotes a cohesive national identity, it also provides economic opportunity. And like other natural resources, our members generate billions in economic activity every year and create good, high-paying jobs. The media production sector promotes prosperity right across the country.

Want to co-produce with Canada?

Canada has international co-production treaty agreements and memorandums of understanding with over 60 countries. Canada makes an excellent co-production partner, thanks to the following attributes of our country and our industry:

Variety of financing sources, including federal and provincial tax credits